British parents facing cycling crisis

BikeBiz) HSBC UK and British Cycling have launched a new campaign to help parents cycle with their children Kieran HowellsMay 24, 2018 40 per cent of parents in Britain haven’t ridden a bike in the past year, according to a new survey of modern attitudes to cycling put to British parents by HSBC UK and… [Read More]

HSBC UK and British Cycling have launched a new campaign to help parents cycle with their children

Kieran HowellsMay 24, 2018
40 per cent of parents in Britain haven’t ridden a bike in the past year, according to a new survey of modern attitudes to cycling put to British parents by HSBC UK and British Cycling.

Despite nearly three-quarters of all parents believing that teaching children to cycle is an important life skill, the research has highlighted a reluctance to ride, especially by female parents. Almost half of all female parents across the country haven’t ridden a bike in the past year and neither have over a third of male parents.

One-third of parents said that their child couldn’t ride a bike. This comes just months after the Government’s publication ‘Childhood obesity: a plan for action’ called for “more to encourage children to be active every day. Every primary school child should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day.”

In response to the news, HSBC UK and British Cycling have launched HSBC UK Ready Set Ride initiative with the aim of helping children from as young as 18 months to eight years old learn to ride a bike.

The campaign is supported by BBC television presenter Helen Skelton, a mother to two children, who is calling for more parents to get out on their bikes with their children to help give them a life skill that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Skelton commented: “There are few experiences that can rival the sheer adventure of getting out on a bike with your kids and seeing them enjoy the sense of freedom and fun that cycling gives. Learning to ride is not only a vital life skill for children, it’s also an opportunity to spend time together with the whole family.

“Guidance can really help. HSBC UK Ready Set Ride gives parents the confidence and techniques needed to teach their children how to cycle in just a few simple steps. You don’t even need a bike for the first step so it’s easy to get started. It’s an investment parents make in their own children’s development that leads to great experiences the whole family can enjoy for years to come.”